Picture the scene: your glorious new arrangement has landed, you’ve tenderly and carefully unwrapped the stems and you’re ready to display them in your most picturesque vase… Except it’s still mucky from your last set of stems.

If you’re thinking ‘it’s just water, do I really need to clean my flower vase?’ then stop that right now, as yes, you do. Your flowers deserve a fresh, hygienic place to live. It’s so simple and we can show you how. Or, if you’re someone who fastidiously cleans your glassware and you’re looking for tips as to how to really make that glass vase sparkle, we’ve also got you covered.

Why do you need to clean your vase?

That’s like your flowers asking <you> why you need to clean your bedsheets. Placing your new arrangement into the same, unwashed vase as last week’s arrangement is akin to asking your houseguests to sleep in the same bed linen as the previous guests. Not nice. Yes, last week’s lilies were lovely but this week’s Rossano Blooms don’t need to know about it! If you don’t clean your vase properly after having old flowers in it then it’s much more likely that bacteria will grow and decrease the life of your arrangement. Plus, your vase will simply look grimy and mucky – and totally detract from your glorious, carefully curated arrangement.

Can I put my vase in the dishwasher?

Tempting, we know… but, no offence to your dishwasher, it’s just too rough for your delicate vase. Dishwashers operate on high intensity heat and will crack or cloud your glassware over time. Hand-washing is the most effective way to ensure they remain clear and sparkling.

What do I wash my vase with?

Your vase is about to be home to lilies and stocks (and so many other beautiful stems). It’s prime real estate and needs to be treated as such. That means treating it a little differently to all your other glassware and avoiding washing up liquid. It can leave a residue that can contaminate your water and while we all like a bubble bath, our flowers don’t. Instead take a small amount of vinegar, lemon juice or bleach. You just need to add a splash of vinegar or the juice of one lemon then scrub with a cloth or a scrubbing brush. Then rinse and repeat. The repeat is the key part if you really want your vase to sparkle. 

What else can I do to keep my flowers fresh?

Before placing your beautiful arrangement in its shiny new home you’ll need to do a little prep to make sure your blooms remain as vibrant as they did on arrival. First, give your stems a little trim – cutting about an inch, diagonally, from the bottom. This unblocks them and allows them to drink properly. This is also why we recommend using sharp, clean secateurs instead of kitchen scissors, which may well have other bits on them.

In the interest of keeping that water clean, don’t let any leaves fall into your vase. Using your thumb and forefinger whip off any low-hanging leaves, or any branches that sit below the neck of your vase. This will prevent them contaminating the water and makes a noticeable difference.

Does where I display my flowers matter?

Picking the right location for your flowers is about so much more than showing off (though that’s important too!) As if you place your flowers in the wrong environment they’re more likely to wilt, or be unhappy. For example, they might look more eye-catching on your mantelpiece but you’re placing them in flower inferno. They’re way too hot! You also need to be careful around windows. Treat your flowers like you do your skin on holiday, with care. On sunny days, either move them elsewhere so they’re not baking in the heat, or give them a few hours from time to time. And, like shuffling around to ensure an even tan, you’ll also need to turn them, to ensure they all open at the same time.

Equally, flowers can be fussy and they don’t like to be too cold – so avoid draughty corridors. Finally, while flowers and fruit make for a beautiful Still Life painting in real life keep them apart. Ripening fruit can hasten the wilting of flowers, so keep your bananas away from your brassica.

What water should I use?

Freezing cold swimming may be in right now, but it’s not for your flowers. They’re best placed in room-temperature water, which should be changed every three days. When changing the water, make sure to add in some fresh flower food – it helps keep your water looking clear (and doesn’t erase all your hard work shining that vase) as well as giving your flowers much needed energy.

If you’ve run out you can make your own, with a little bit of vinegar, sugar and bleach. [ADD LINK IN HERE FOR FLOWER FOOD RECIPE.]

One flower has died, does this mean they’re all doomed?

RIP to the tulip you used to see… All flowers last for different lengths of time: irises will wilt quicker than lilies, for example. This is natural but prevent contamination by removing stems that don’t last as long, as soon as they’ve gone over. This helps fight the spread of Botrytis (flower cancer) a mould that will shorten your floral life.

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